Simon Yates looks forward aggressive racing as he targets Tour de France white jersey
Orica-Scott to judge Yates on the way he rides more than the final result
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Simon Yates (Orica-Scott) will head into the Tour de France looking to emulate his twin brother Adam and win the white jersey for best young rider, hoping that the unusual course could play into his hands.
The 2017 Tour de France route features just 36.5km of time trialling and only three summit finishes, a course which Yates thinks could suit a rider of his characteristics and encourage aggressive racing.
"I think the course is good for me," Yates said at a press conference two days ahead of Grand Départ in Düsseldorf.
"I like to race and I like aggressive racing and I think it could play into my hands. We’ll have to see as it’s a different Tour to normal and there could be a few surprises."
>>> Simon Yates admits his time trialling may always be a weakness as he heads to Tour de France
That was a sentiment echoed by Matt White, Yates's sports director at Orica-Scott, who predicted an exciting three weeks of racing.
"It’ll be one of the tightest Tours in terms of GC in a long time because there aren’t many opportunities for GC goes to make a difference, so when they do want to make a difference they'll have to really go for it," White said.
"The organisers have put a lot of the hard climbs between 15 and 40km from the finish which should make for more exciting racing earlier in the stage and less arriving on the climb and going from there. Descents will also be a factor and there should be some interesting tactics."
Watch: Tour de France preview - stages one to nine
Yates will start the Tour as Orica-Scott's co-leader with Esteban Chaves, and although he will be targetting a high position on GC and with it the white jersey for best young rider, the team management will judge his Tour more on the manner of his riding rather than necessarily the final result.
"He’ll have his hands full with [Louis] Meintjes and [Emanuel] Buchmann for white but I think it’s a very realistic goal," continued White.
"It’s his first Tour for GC, so I’m not going to put a number on what would be a successful Tour for him.
"It’s ridiculous putting a number on it without looking at circumstances. Adam finished ninth at the Giro, but obviously he would have finished higher he hadn’t got taken out by a police motorbike.
"It’s about the effort not the number. You have to think about the process, not just about the result. Whether he finishes fifth or he finishes 12th, that’ll be a success for a 24 year old riding for GC at the Tour for the first time."
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
SKS Raceblade Pro XL Stealth Series fender/ mudguard set review - sturdy, rub-free and keeps off the worst of the spray
Highly adjustable, easy to fit and rock solid over rough roads
By Andy Turner • Published
-
Nude carbon is back and even sexier with 3T’s new Exploro Racemax Italia XXX
Made-in-Italy frames 'pull back the curtain' on in-house filament winding process with stunning results
By Simon Smythe • Published
-
BikeExchange safe from WorldTour relegation, no more 'scrapping over points to the death'
"The points system is clearly broken" says Matt White, team's head directeur sportif
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Kristen Faulkner takes a stunning solo win at the Giro Donne
Van Vleuten loses time but easily maintains a commanding lead going into Sunday’s final stage
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Fresh start for Dylan Groenewegen after comeback victory at Tour de France
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider is at his first Tour de France since serving his nine-month suspension for causing crash
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Kristen Faulkner cools down after making a splash at the Giro Donne
The American headed straight for the sea to after winning the stage and taking the Giro Donne overall lead
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
Simon Yates misses out on Tour de France selection
Team BikeExchange-Jayco opt for sprint focussed line-up focused on Dylan Groenewegen
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Simon Yates abandons Giro d'Italia with ongoing knee issue
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider won two stages, but missed out on GC challenge
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Simon Yates wins stage 14 of the Giro d'Italia with late attack
The British rider picked up his second stage win of this year's race
By Pete Trifunovic • Last updated
-
Simon Yates to target stage wins after ending general classification challenge at Giro d'Italia
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider to hunt stage wins in final two weeks
By Adam Becket • Published